2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve

Within the appellation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine Roger Sabon covers 18 hectares of vines spread over 14 different parcels. Technical director Didier Négron remains at the top of his game and crafts expressive, well-structured, age-worthy wines. We discussed the different methods of retaining elegance and freshness in this warm Mediterranean climate and within the AOC rules. In his wines, Négron primarily focuses on the harvest date, followed by whole-bunch fermentation and the focus on varieties such as Cinsault, which can contribute fresh acidity and lower alcohol to a final blend. I tasted their four red cuvées from the 2020 and 2021 vintages and one white from 2021. While the reds from the more challenging 2021 year are refined and ageable, they take a back seat to the richer and more complex 2020 offerings. Unsurprisingly, the Le Secret de Sabon scored highest in both vintages. Still, I was particularly drawn to the striking 2020 Prestige, an utterly delicious offering crafted by Négron. Coming in at a fraction of the price of the Le Secret de Sabon, the Prestige is a must-buy in 2020.